If you’re looking for somewhere to see dolphins in Puerto Rico then you’re in the right place.
There’s plenty of places to both see and swim with dolphins in Puerto Rico, from Rincón to San Juan.
This post will tell you all of the best places to see dolphins in Puerto Rico and includes all the information you’ll need for a fun day out.
Best Places To Swim With Dolphins In Puerto Rico
There are lots of dolphins present in the waters that surround Puerto Rico making it one of the best places to go dolphin watching.
All of the dolphins that you’ll see in Puerto Rico are wild dolphins in the ocean.
Puerto Rico doesn’t have any captive dolphins which means that you can’t book onto a ‘swim with dolphins’ experience.
You can however still swim with dolphins in the ocean, you just need to find them!
It cannot be guaranteed that you’ll be able to see or swim with a dolphin in Puerto Rico due to the fact that the dolphins are wild and their movements cannot be controlled.
Dolphins are commonly found in Puerto Rico so you do still have a good chance of swimming with one here.
For the best chance of seeing a dolphin, head to the places below.
1. Condado Lagoon
Condado Lagoon, located in San Juan, is a great place to swim with dolphins in Puerto Rico.
In this lagoon, you can sometimes spot dolphins swimming around in the lagoon. You’ll also see lots of other animals too including starfish and stingrays.
There are lots of super fun ways to try and see the dolphins in Condado Lagoon.
One of the most popular ways to see them is by renting a glass bottom kayak and rowing alongside the dolphins.
Alternatively you could try hiring a water bike if you don’t want to get too wet.
These activities are not only super fun but they also give you the chance to get up close to the dolphins in Puerto Rico if you’re lucky enough to spot one.
2. San Juan Bay
One of the best places to see dolphins in Puerto Rico is in San Juan Bay.
This stunning bay, which sits at the heart of San Juan, is a popular location filled with historic sites.
This bay is one of the best places to go dolphin watching in Puerto Rico as dolphin sightings are super common.
The best way to see the dolphins in San Juan Bay is by joining a boat tour.
These tours take you right out into the water and as the local guides know the area well, this will give you the best possible chance of seeing a dolphin.
Check out the below video where a dolphin greets some jet skiers in San Juan Bay:
3. Rincón
Rincón, an area located on the westernmost tip of Puerto Rico, is a great place to swim with dolphins in Puerto Rico.
Dolphins, as well as lots of other marine animals, can often be seen swimming along the shores of Rincón.
The best place to swim with dolphins in Rincón is at Steps Beach, also known as Tres Palmas Marine Natural Reserve.
This beach is a well known snorkelling spot.
You’ll see tropical fish, turtles and the odd dolphin too!
A coral reef runs right along the length of the beach so it’s the perfect place to go snorkeling, most people book onto a snorkeling tour so they don’t miss anything.
4. La Parguera
La Parguera is a village located in the town of Lajas in southwestern Puerto Rico.
This quaint village features a bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and nature reserves too.
One of the best places to see and swim with dolphins in this village is at the La Parguera Nature Reserve where you’ll find a well-developed and extensive coral reef which is also a popular diving site.
The best way to see and swim alongside the dolphins in La Parguera is by renting a water bike.
This super fun activity allows you to navigate through the beautiful mangroves and pass by lots of wonderful marine life including dolphins, sea turtles and rays too.
Check out the below video showing some dolphins in La Parguera:
5. Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
Another great place in Puerto Rico where you’ll have a good chance of seeing dolphins is at the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo.
This stunning nature reserve features a blue lagoon, mangroves, coral reefs and sandy beaches.
The best way to see and swim with the dolphins at the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is to get in the water and go kayaking and snorkeling!
You’ll be able to swim right alongside the dolphins if you’re lucky enough to spot one which is definitely an experience you won’t forget.
6. Vieques Island
Vieques Island is a small island that lies just off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast and is an excellent place to go dolphin watching in Puerto Rico.
This island is best known for being an excellent snorkeling location where you can observe lots of interesting marine life. This is mainly due to the island’s abundance of coral reefs.
As Vieques Island isn’t on the mainland, I’d recommend joining a snorkeling tour that will take you from the mainland to Vieques Island and back.
Mosquito Pier is a popular snorkeling site on Vieques Island where visitors often are able to spot dolphins swimming around.
Mosquito Pier is on the north side of the island.
Check out the below video which shows some dolphins spotted whilst on a boat at Vieques Island:
Did you know you can also see manatees in Puerto Rico? Find out where to see manatees in Puerto Rico here.
7. Culebra Island
Another good place to see dolphins in Puerto Rico is on Culebra Island.
Culebra Island is a small island that is located just off the east coast of Puerto Rico’s mainland. It’s easy to get to from Fajardo.
One of the best places to spot dolphins on this island is at Tamarindo Beach on the west side of the island.
This beach is well known for its crystal clear waters and coral reefs that are filled with an abundance of interesting marine life including tropical fish, dolphins, turtles and rays.
The best way to see the dolphins here is to go snorkeling! If you’re lucky enough to find one, you’ll be able to swim with the dolphins and get up close to them.
Snorkeling tour tickets also tend to include transport from mainland Puerto Rico to Culebra Island and back which is super handy.
Other beaches on the island where you can sometimes see dolphins include Zoni Beach and Flamenco Beach.
Check out the video below to see some dolphins spotted whilst scuba diving around Culebra Island:
8. Cabo Rojo
Another area of Puerto Rico where you can often see dolphins is Cabo Rojo.
Cabo Rojo is a region on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast which is known for having mangroves, coral reefs and beautiful beaches.
Dolphins can often be seen by the cliffs in front of the lighthouse called Los Morrillos.
The best time to see the dolphins is late afternoon, just before sunset.
Check out the video below to see some dolphins in the water at Cabo Rojo:
9. Mona Island
Mona Island, a small island that lies just off the west coast of Puerto Rico, is another great place to see dolphins.
Mona Island is the perfect habitat and the best kept Caribbean refuge for many marine animals including dolphins.
Marine life is abundant around the island, so you’ll have a really good chance of being able to swim with dolphins here.
This secluded island paradise is very popular with divers who come from afar to explore the untouched beaches, caves and coral reefs.
The most popular beaches for scuba diving are Playa Sardineras, Playa Pajaros, Punta Arenas and Playa Mujeres.
The island itself is uninhabited and protected by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources meaning its wildlife is well protected.
In the video below you can see some dolphins swimming in the water near Mona Island:
If you enjoy seeing dolphins, you may also be interested in knowing where to go whale watching in Puerto Rico.
Thanks for reading this post on where to swim with dolphins in Puerto Rico.
Wherever you are in Puerto Rico, there’s plenty of options here to see dolphins in their natural habitat in Rincón, San Juan Bay, Mona Island and more.
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